Driver who 'took on car finance world and won' issues update ahead of £1,100 payouts

A driver who has taken on the car finance world - and won - has spoken out. Andrew Wrench, from Staffordshire, is one of a small group of motorists who could have won billions of pounds for consumers across the country by taking on two finance companies in the courts.

The 60-year-old discovered that car finance lenders had been paying commission to the dealerships where he bought two cars – an Audi TT coupe and a BMW 3 Series – without his knowledge. “They were kind of pushing their finance straight away, as they do, because that’s where they make the money on the sale of the car, the interest and everything else linked up,” Wrench told the Guardian newspaper.

“Lo and behold, I didn’t know about any secret commissions. Obviously, at that time, it hadn’t been disclosed.” Mr Wrench bought his Audi for £8,995 back in 2015 - lumping a £3k deposit on the motor, and paying off nearly £6,000 via a credit agreement spanning 48 months.

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After a protracted legal wrangle, he took MotoNovo Finance and billion-dollar FirstRand ban to court, with the judges ruling in his favour. “I’m a very, very determined person,” the motorist said, adding: “I’m very honest, I have a great deal of integrity, to never let go if I think something’s right.”

The win has been hailed by Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert founder, who reckons compensation could total as much as £1,100 for motorists affected. Jamal Ahmed from Cooper Hall said: “After a lengthy legal battle and the involvement of consumer rights solicitors, we are very pleased with the court of appeal’s decision. This outcome validates our efforts and underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in financial transactions. It also highlights the necessity of holding financial institutions accountable for their practices.

“This ruling is a significant win for consumers across the UK. It sets an important precedent, reinforcing the need for full disclosure in financial agreements to ensure that individuals are informed about any commissions that may influence the terms of their contracts.

“We believe this decision will encourage more equitable practices within the car finance industry and empower consumers to make better-informed decisions."